Petr Cech on impending return of Thibaut Courtois: 'I don't want to be on the bench'

With Thibaut Courtois expected to make his return to Chelsea this season following a three-year loan spell with Atletico Madrid, questions have inevitably been raised about the status of Petr Cech, who has been the first-choice 'keeper at Stamford Bridge for the past decade.

For his part, as is to be expected, the 32-year-old Cech says he has no desire to relinquish his starting role to the young Belgian.

Cech had this to say about the matter during the club's pre-season tour of Austria, via FIFA.com.

I always give my best. That's all I can do. I will do my best and I will do everything I can to be as ready as possible for when the season starts.

Jose Mourinho will make the choice how his team is going to look for the first game. It's up to us players to show that we are ready to play and make him pick us. I'm not different, I'm doing everything to make him pick me.

I don't want to be on the bench and as I said I will do everything not to be. I don't want to talk about ifs or buts though, let's see. I'm going day by day and we will see what is going to happen.

All I have in my control is my performance on the pitch and the way I prepare. Anything else is not in my hands.